An interview with David Gebhart, Still in shock? That’s Life with Parkinson’s! on 2/29/2024 by George Ackerman, Ph.D, J.D.
Biography
David was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease in May of 2017 at age 43, but had been having symptoms up to 8-10 years prior. To be diagnosed with a chronic, disabling disease, at such a young age, was a huge shock for him and his family. Everything changed. Prior to diagnosis, David was part owner of an overhead door company that operates in Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton, BC, Canada. He continued to work full-time for as long as he could after diagnosis, but the mental and physical demands of the job were just too draining. A new direction was required. David now focuses mostly on his YouTube channel, Life with Parkinsons, as employment outside of the home has come to an end.
Please tell me a little about your background.
I have quite a varied background. As a youth I sang in the youth choir, took piano lessons, played in the school band and stage band, and sang in the choir at school. I also played on the basketball and volleyball teams. I had no life plans upon graduation, but shortly after met the love of my life, got married and had children. I worked at the local pulp mill in the shipping department for 11 years, and then became part owner of the garage door company in my bio.
Can you tell me more about your organization?
Life with Parkinson’s is all about sharing my Parkinson’s Disease as openly as possible with my viewers, conneting them with companies that make products for PWP’s. A big part of the PD journey is looking for ways to ease our symptoms, and not all of the possible solutions for that cannot be found at our local doctor’s office. That’s where LWP hopes to step in and fill that need. People, I have found, need partial remedies, as do I.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
My passion is this incredible opportunity that I have to connect with people all over the world who are somehow affected by PD in some way. When I got my first computer, my Tandy 1000, I would never have dreamed that computers could have affected the world the way that they have. I am thankful for my little corner of the internet.
I got involved in awareness through the encouragement of my son. After I was diagnosed my wife and I searched for day to day PD tips and stories from everyday people and found very little. When we mentioned that to our son he suggested that I start my own YouTube channel and fill that need. So, here we are!
What type of goals do individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
Just making it through the day. I don’t think this one applies.
What effect can it have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
People who interact with the channel constantly say that they are impacted by my videos, which I am very thankful for. I put my heart and soul out there and the audience is incredibly supportive. I hope that others start channels also, as I feel there is a great need.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
My wife Hayley is hoping to be on the channel more, when possible, to talk to the care giver perspective, but suffers from a painful form of endometriosis.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Email – Info@lifewithparkinsons.ca website – Life with Parkinson’s | parkinson’s disease (lifewithparkinsons.ca)
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Start their own YT channel, contact their local PD foundation.
In your opinion what is the key to effective advocacy?
Just get your story out there somehow and don’t stop telling it.
PD awareness in my opinion, is still very low.
What other activities do you undertake to help improve and support your daily living Eg exercise and alternative remedies?
I exercise every day and am looking at only doing activities that have been proven to help PD symptoms. Boxing, ping pong, dance.
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
Because they may get PD as it is one of the fastest growing illnesses in the world.
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
No. I’m like Tigger – I’m the only one!
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life which song would it be?
Neffex, No Retreat, NEFFEX – No Retreat 🧨 [Copyright Free] No.173 (youtube.com)
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
What I say at the end of every video – Let’s take this journey together!